Star defenceman Nikita Zadorov continues to have Canadian visa issues and misses the opening of London Knights? training camp

In an OHL season where every move London makes will be dissected and most of it will be documented for a Sportsnet TV series, the scrappy veteran forward refuses to shy away from a desire to wear a letter on his new white Knights sweater.

“I’d love one,” said the Toronto Maple Leafs pick, whose best bet, with Bo Horvat and Olli Maatta on board, will be an ‘A’ for alternate captain. “Hosting a Memorial Cup here and wearing a letter, I think that would be a huge responsibility, but at the same time, it’s something I want.

“I want to show the young guys the role of being a London Knight and if we can get a (Cup) win, it’s that much better if I happen to get that (leadership role).”

If Rupert can figure out a way to get Russian defenceman Nikita Zadorov over the border, he should be automatically considered for the captain’s job. The big Sabres first-rounder, waiting for a renewed Canadian visa, missed the opening of training camp Tuesday and remains in Buffalo.

That situation offers a nice little opening drama for those TV cameras, which started filming on Tuesday after the Knights, the OHL and Sportsnet finally agreed on the boundaries of accessibility.

“I don’t think it will be too bad,” Rupert said. “For the older guys in London, we’re used to the media being around. For new guys, it might be a little more stressful with all the cameras around and I’m pretty sure we’ll have a meeting once the season starts going and say don’t worry about it, play your game, do what you do best and let that happen.”

Rupert will offer the newbies advice on any number of topics – but not that one.

“If they want to be whoever they are in front of the camera, I’m not going to stop them,” he said. “You’ve got to let your personality show through.”

There’s nothing more colourful, of course, than 19-year-old twins from Grand Bend who play old school hockey, live with their head coach, admit to eating “too many” ice cream cones on the beach and tool around in a Volkswagen with nearly 400,000 kms on it.

This summer, Ryan Rupert and brother Matt spent three days a week working out in London at Total Package Hockey and two more in Chatham working with Knights mate Seth Griffith’s power-skating coach Todd Warriner on synthetic ice.

“Seth’s skating really improved and Mark and Dale (Hunter) suggested going there,” Ryan said, “so we did. It was a lot of driving this summer. Matt and I rotated each day. Our car’s on its last legs.”

But they say they’re not worn down, heading into their third straight long season that won’t end until late May.

“Everybody’s favourite thing is playing hockey, not working out, so you just want to get back at it,” Ryan Rupert said. “We’re a little more motivated knowing we’re hosting it and going 0-2 in the last two Memorial Cups, it’s almost like a must-win or a let down.”

The Ruperts arrived in London as the Hunter’s response to a team lacking toughness. Then, the predictions were made the pair would intimidate and dominate by the time they turned 19.

“The last three years, we’ve shown we can play in every aspect of the game and it’s just a matter of putting it together every shift and for a complete season,” Ryan said. “There’s a lot going on here, but this early in the season, you don’t want to worry about the end game.”

Make friends with the new guys – the McCarrons, Dvoarks and Marners – and ensure their comfort level, then start building something.

“Once everyone gets along with each other off the ice, it transfers on the ice,” he said. “That’s where the chemistry kicks in and we start playing better.”

Rupert was a surprise invite to the Canadian world junior team’s camp this summer. He fit in nicely in Lake Placid, N.Y.

“It really boosted my confidence and I think I put on a pretty good show,” he said. “I thought I can play with the top-notch players in this league and produce at a top-notch rate.”

Next week, he heads to Leafs rookie camp with his brother and former Knight Greg McKegg. They’re in Toronto Sept. 3 for medicals, then turn around and bus back to London the next day to begin the NHL rookie tournament at Budweiser Gardens.

“You’re used to all the bounces here and it’ll be a thrill to play that in the home rink,” he said. “Then, it’s Knights season and we’ve got a good mix here. We’re really positive to make things happen.”

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